Question D

[Jonetta]

Tom’s sister Angie also lives in Baldwin’s Bridge and has a teenage daughter, Mallory. Angie lives a curious lifestyle, leaving Mallory to mostly care for herself. What influence do Joe and Tom have on Mallory’s life? Are they looking out for her well being enough?

[Sharon]

They must be keeping an eye on her. She has turned out to be a strong young woman. They know that she is the adult in the family from a young age. Tom gives money to Mallory for food without her mother knowing. He also tries to get her to join the Navy to get away.

I have to believe that Joe looks out for them too. Based on what we know about Angie, they wouldn't have a place to live if someone didn't help.

[Robin]

I wish we could have learned more about what makes Angie tick and why Mallory is the adult in the relationship.

I believe that Joe probably keeps an eye on the situation. Tom can't be there since he is stationed across the country, but he can help support them.

[Anita]

I don't think either Joe or Tom had a big influence on Mallory. This kid had to basically raise herself while dealing with the community's derision

[Sharon]

I think they are an influence on Mallory even though she raised herself. It is obvious that she admires Tom. I do think Joe needs to keep his help low key, as Angie would use any money for herself and not the upkeep of the household.

Tom must stop in whenever he is in town to help with repairs and money too.

[Joanne Farley]

I thought that maybe they were not looking out for her enough Although it is hard to do that when you are a seal and no longer living in town anymore. There really was not enough of a back story to make that assessment of Joe from what we saw I am guessing Angie would not have been easy to deal with,

[Jonetta]

Both Tom and Angie had a tough upbringing. Tom was able to escape by joining the Navy but Angie was left to make do. I really wish we’d had more of a backstory, too, because it felt like Mallory was left to survive with a mother who wasn’t always making great decisions. Mallory clearly loves and respects Tom but to Joanne’s point, he’s not there because of his career. It was really unclear as to what influence Joe’s had but I have to believe he’s been a safety net.

Being the target of town bullies was going to happen to Mallory no matter their influence because of Angie’s reputation. It just is the way of small towns and teenage minds. I’m just glad she found David.

[Sharon]

I'm sure they could have looked out for Mallory more, but Angie is a mess. It is hard to help when Angie doesn't do anything to help herself.

If I remember correctly, Mallory did say she went to Joe's sometimes. It isn't clear how often she went there or what he did for her. The reader has to make a lot of assumptions based on personal interpretation of Mallory.

[Jonetta]

I agree, Sharon. It’s great getting everyone’s perspective on this as I didn’t know what to think. Good point about Mallory indicating she sometimes went to Joe’s house. Maybe that’s where the idea of a safety net came from.